KoSA Academy is conveniently located in Montreal at 5457 Rue St. Jacques Street West, just a short walk from the Vendome Metro in NDG. For any further questions, our phone number is 514-482-5554, OR visit our website at www.kosamusic.com

The New DVD from Hudson Limited features Instruction and Performances by Clayton Cameron, Kenwood Dennard, Jamey Haddad, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ed Soph, Bernard Purdie, Glen Velez and Other Top Drum and Percussion Artists.

"KoSA Eleven/Live", contains over three hours of instruction, interviews and live performance highlights from the eleventh edition of the world-renowned KoSA International Percussion Workshop and Festival. Produced by KoSA founder and artistic director, Aldo Mazza, in association with Hudson Music, this entertaining, informative and highly educational DVD offers viewers a participant's perspective on the unique KoSA experience and represents the highlights of the August 2006 event, which was held in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont.

The DVD presents exclusive performance and instructional footage of top drum and percussion artists from around the world, including:

WANTED: PRIMARY ASSISTANT FOR KOSA 13!Position Announcement for Assistant to Project Coordinator and Artistic Director, KoSA International Percussion Workshop & Festival, 2008 KoSA International Percussion Workshops and Festival is a non-profit organization which specializes in producing educational percussion events, musical events and running a world-music academy. We are presently seeking qualified candidates to apply as (a) project coordinator's assistant and (b) artistic director's assistant to assist KoSA in preparing the up-coming musical event in Vermont July 30 to August 3 2008. The position would commence immediately and run through the end of August 2008, with the possibility of extending further if mutually agreed upon.

Duties will include: - General office management (maintenance of database, sending and preparing invoices, preparing mailings etc.)- Direct assistant to Project Coordinator and Artistic Director - Assist in the pre-registration process of the up-coming workshops and events - Coordination of publicity related to the workshops, festival, and music academy- Coordination of all logistics related to the project (example: coordinate guest artist faculty's schedules, coordinate transportation and lodging for artists, faculty, participants, etc.)

Qualifications needed: - Basic knowledge of data base management and related computer software (Word, Excel, etc...)- Excellent telephone etiquette and people skills- Supportive and reliable team player - A leadership style which encourages participation and commitment to organizational objective - Excellent knowledge of writing in English is essential, bilingualism an asset- Must work well under deadline pressures- Location: KoSA Communications, Int'l Main office: 5457 St. Jacques West, Montreal (Metro Vendome)

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Toronto Cellist Karen Ouzounian Solos with Sinfonia Toronto

December 26, 2007

News Release

For immediate release

TORONTO CELLIST KAREN OUZOUNIAN SOLOS WITH SINFONIA TORONTO

'Toronto's Own' is a warm and romantic program that will melt the midwinter chill. This Sinfonia Toronto Masterpiece Series concert will take place on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 8 pm in Grace Church on-the-Hill (300 Lonsdale Road).

Conductor Nurhan Arman will lead the concert that begins with Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony opus 83. The brilliant young Toronto cellist Karen Ouzounian will be featured as soloist in Boccherini's Cello Concerto in B-flat major.

Karen Ouzounian is currently completing graduate studies at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where she studies with Timothy Eddy. She has served as principal cellist of the Juilliard Symphony and has performed frequently as a soloist and chamber musician in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Paul Recital Hall, the Juilliard Theatre and Morse Recital Hall.

Winner of numerous awards and scholarships, Ms. Ouzounian has received the Grunin Prize and Presidential Distinction award from the Juilliard School. She has also received prizes at the Canadian Music Competition and the Ontario Music Festival. She has appeared as soloist with Sinfonia Toronto and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony. Ms. Ouzounian has performed solo and chamber music recitals in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Guatemala, Italy, Holland, Germany and Lebanon, and has been featured on the CBC's "Up & Coming" music program.

During the summer, Ms. Ouzounian has performed at the Marlboro Festival, Holland Music Sessions, Sarasota Music Festival, Casalmaggiore International Festival in Italy, Banff Centre for the Arts, and Orford Arts Centre. She has worked in masterclasses with Ralph Kirshbaum, Frans Helmerson, Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot.

The concert will also feature one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces. His last StringQuartet opus 135, written after he lost most of his hearing, is considered to be Beethoven's intimate and profound musical testament. It will be playedin an orchestral version created for Sinfonia Toronto by Nurhan Arman.

There will be a free post-concert reception, giving audience members a chance to meet members of the orchestra, Maestro Arman and Ms. Ouzounian.

Tickets are $40 adult, $32 senior, $12 student (16-29) and can be purchased from 416-499-0403 or online with a $5 online only discount at www.sinfoniatoronto.com

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Boris Brott conducts Beethoven at famed Italian concert hall

December 19, 2007

For immediate release

Boris Brott conducts Beethoven at famed Italian concert hall

VERONA, ITALY –Boris Brott becomes the first Canadian to conduct the world famous Arena di Verona orchestra and choir - totalling more than 200 singers and musicians – when he takes to the podium to perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony this weekend.

The Arena di Verona – built in 30 AD – is one of the best preserved amphitheatres in the world and has become renowned for opera performances by legends like Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi. Brott's performances will take place in the Teatro Filharmonico – the winter venue of the Arena's orchestra, opera and ballet companies.

"It's a thrill to make music here," says Brott. "Musicians here are so physically passionate about their music and they capture the true spirit of the work and share that with each other, the conductor and the audience."

A choir of 120 singers and orchestra of 90 players will be joined by international soloists Anna Katharina Behnk (soprano), Annely Peebo (mezzo), Kurt Azesberger (tenor) and Manfred Hemm (bass).

The performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral" in D minor, op. 125 take place on Saturday Dec. 22 and 23, 2007. Much like Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth is an annual Christmas musical tradition, particularly in Europe and Japan.

· Japanese kuroko inspired movement and puppetry choreographed and directed by Canadian National ballet alum and renowned Cree actor and dancer, Michael Greyeyes.

· Featuring rising Opera star, Xin Wang and a virtuoso ensemble of Canada's most talented musicians heralding from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.

Weesageechak (the Trickster) and Misigoo (The Eagle) journey across the river to a magic island where the Spirits of the Dead dance every night by the light of the moon. The Trickster and his companion try to capture the spirits in a basket but on their way back, one by one they begin to escape.

Tickets are $37 adult/ $29 senior/ $10 student and are available through The St. Lawrence Centre Box Office at 416-366-7723 or online at www.stlc.com.

About Soundstreams

Soundstreams is a hub for new directions in music, programming culturally provocative concerts and festivals by weaving together music and ideas from globally diverse genres, artists and eras. Founded by renowned oboist Lawrence Cherney in 1982, Soundstreams has presented hundreds of unique and compelling concerts, from intimate chamber music events to multi-choral spectaculars, operas, music-theatre works and 6 highly successful international festivals. A recognized national leader, Soundstreams Canada is one of the largest and most dynamic organizations of its kind anywhere in the world.

Soundstreams Canada gratefully acknowledges the support of TD Canada Trust Music, the Laidlaw Foundation, the Metcalf Foundation, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, SOCAN Foundation, the Creative Trust, the Julie-Jiggs Foundation, the Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, the Koerner Foundation, the John D. McKellar Foundation, Roger D. Moore, the Charles H. Ivey Foundation, the Hal Jackman Foundation, the EJLB Foundation and the McLean Foundation for their generous support.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Nicole Doucet appointed Director of Arts Disciplines

For immediate release

Nicole Doucet appointed Director of Arts Disciplines

at the Canada Council for the Arts

Ottawa , December 20, 2007 – Robert Sirman, Director of the Canada Council for the Arts, announced today that Nicole Doucet has been appointed Director of Arts Disciplines, effective February 11, 2008.

A native of Hearst, Ontario and initially trained in the visual arts, Ms. Doucet is currently Director of Music and Dance at the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), that province's arts funding agency; between 2002 and 2005, she served as CALQ's Director of Theatre, Multidisciplinary Arts and Circus Arts.

Before arriving at CALQ in 2002, Ms. Doucet, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual art from the University of Ottawa, worked for the Canada Council in a variety of positions, with responsibilities that included managing the Council's touring grant program and administering the program of support to French-language theatre companies. She previously served as an administrator for several theatre companies, including Théâtre-Action in Ottawa and Théâtre de Quat'Sous in Montreal and spent nearly 10 years managing La Maison Théâtre, a Montreal-based association aimed at presenting and promoting theatre for young audiences.

As Director of Arts Disciplines, Ms. Doucet will be responsible for managing the development and operation of the Canada Council's grant programs which provide support to Canadian artists and arts organizations. More than $140 million in grants was awarded to artists and arts organizations last year in dance, music, theatre, media arts, visual arts, writing and publishing, and interdisciplinary arts. The position was created as a result of a restructuring which divided the Council's former Arts Division into two separate divisions: Arts Disciplines and Arts Development. The current Director of the Arts Division, André Courchesne, will serve as Director of Arts Development.

"We are delighted that Nicole Doucet has agreed to return to the Canada Council as Director of Arts Disciplines," Mr. Sirman said. "She has devoted her entire professional life to serving the arts, and this is a natural next step on that journey. She will be a tremendous asset to our organization."

OPERAS AND BALLET IN HIGH DEFINITIONSTARTING DECEMBER 15TH AT CINEMA DU PARC

Montreal, December 3rd, 2007 – Starting this month, we will periodically broadcast opera and ballet shows from Opus Arte's international collection in collaboration with DIGISCREEN, a company specialized in digital presentation. These operas will come from some of Europe's best opera houses such as Milan's Scala, London's Covent Garden and Madrid's Theatro Real. To start this prestigious series, Montrealers will be able to see the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, as well as the San Francisco Ballet in high definition with Dolby 5.1 sound. Contrary to live broadcasts, the directing and editing of these capitations are more artistic and elaborate, conveying all the emotions and subtleties of these performances. Thanks to the perfect sound and image, you will feel like you have a front-row, center-aisle seat at the opera house.

You will be moved by Verdi's La Traviata, designed and costumed by Pier Luigi Pizzi, directed by Jesùs Lòpez Cobos, and starring Norah Amsellem, Maria Espada, Jose Bros, and Renato Bruson. Recorded at Madrid's Theatro Real.

Spain. 2006. HD. 175 min.(Original Italian version)

DECEMBER 22-23-29-30, JANUARY 5-16, 1 PM

NUTCRACKER

Come and live the magic of Tchaikovski's Nutcracker with your family through a recent performance by the San Francisco Ballet. Artistic director: Helgi Tomasson.

USA. 2007. HD. 120 min.(Without dialogue)

JANUARY 12-13, 1PM

LA BOHÈME

You can also enjoy the deep lyrism of Puccini's La Bohème, designed by Giancarlo del Monaco, directed by Jesùs Lòpez Cobos, and starring Inva Mula, Laura Giordano, Aquiles Machado, and Fabio Maria Capitanucci. Recorded at Madrid's Theatro Real

NACO, Jan. 10 : NAC Orchestra launches new Debut Series of recitals and "Exploration of the Concerto"

National Arts Centre Orchestra / News Release

December 19, 2007

For immediate release

NAC Orchestra launches new Debut Series of recitals and "Exploration of the Concerto" on Jan. 10

Ottawa , Canada – The National Arts Centre Orchestra's long established Debut Series, which gives talented young musicians the opportunity to perform in recital at the NAC, will begin a new format in the New Year. The first concert of the new series takes place on Thursday, January 10 at noon in the NAC Salon featuring violinist Nikki Chooi from Victoria, BC and pianist Jean Desmarais. The programme will include the Beethoven Sonata for Piano and Violin Op 30, No.3, Tchaikovsky's Melodie and Waxman's Carmen Fantasy. Admission is $3, with proceeds going to fund the NACO Bursary.

Each Debut Series concert is connected to a Musically Speaking "Exploration of the Concerto" prior to that evening's National Arts Centre Orchestra concert, at which the young instrumentalist and mentor discuss and demonstrate the concerto to be performed. On January 10 at 18:30 in the Salon, violinist Nikki Chooi and his former teacher William van der Sloot of Mount Royal College Conservatory, with Jean Desmarais at the piano, will explore elements of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto to be performed that evening by superstar Midori. Admission to the Pre-Concert Talk hosted by Paul Lefebvre is free.

In addition, the following day on Friday, January 11, William van der Sloot will give a masterclass as part of the NAC International Masterclass Series from 9:30 to 11:30 in the NAC's Rehearsal Hall B.

The next Debut Series features cellist Ni Tao in recital with pianist Jean Desmarais on February 21 at noon, and in a pre-concert "Explore the Concerto" with mentor John Kadz of Mount Royal Conservatory at 19:00. Pianist-teacher André Laplante (student and exact date TBA) will be featured in April.

Nikki Chooi, born in Victoria, is in his freshman year at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia studying with Joseph Silverstein and Ida Kavafian. His previous teachers include Bill van der Sloot at the Mount Royal College Conservatory, and Sydney Humphreys at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He participated in a masterclass with Pinchas Zukerman during the NAC Orchestra's BC Tour in 2004, and subsequently participated in the NAC Summer Music Institute. He was awarded two Special Prizes and was a semifinalist at the XIII Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition at which he was the only Canadian. His many other awards include being the only competitor to place 1st in three major categories in the history of the Canadian National Music Festival. He has performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

William van der Sloot has established a reputation as a leader in the development of young artists in Canada. His students have won international acclaim, having won prizes in many major national and international competitions, including Grand Prizes at the Canadian National Festival and the Canadian Music Competition. He has given many master classes for major music organizations in Canada, the United States, Germany, Russia, and China. He will again be a faculty member at Mount Royal College's international Morningside Music Bridge program this summer and at the Valhalla Summer School of Music in Silverton, BC. He has worked in extensive masterclass seminars with Max Rostal, Tibor Varga, Yehudi Menhuin, Joseph Gingold, and members of the Juilliard, Hungarian, and Alban Berg String Quartets.

A MUSICAL DEMONSTRATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH NIKKI CHOOI AND TEACHER WILLIAM VAN DER SLOOT AT 18:30

Ottawa, Canada – Midori, one of the world's leading violinists for the past 25 years and still only in her mid-30s, makes her long-awaited National Arts Centre Orchestra debut performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with conductor Ludovic Morlot in Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts on Wednesday, January 9 and Thursday, January 10 at 20:00 in the NAC's Southam Hall. Morlot, also making his NAC Orchestra debut, will lead the musicians in Mother Goose Suite and Pavane pour une infante défunte both by Ravel, and in Shostakovich's Symphony No. 9.

The second of the two concerts on January 10 includes a new addition to the pre-concert Musically Speaking experience. The audience is invited to the Salon at 18:30 for an "Exploration of the Concerto" as described by violin teacher William van der Sloot of Mount Royal College Conservatory and demonstrated by young Victoria violinist Nikki Chooi and pianist Jean Desmarais. This entertaining and informative lecture-demonstration is free.

The violinist Midori made her historic debut at the age of 11 when she was introduced as a surprise guest artist by conductor Zubin Mehta at the New York Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve concert in 1982. Since that night, she has established a record of achievement which sets her apart as a master musician, an innovator, and a champion of the developmental potential of children. This season, Midori will play over 90 concerts, making six trips to Europe and three to Asia and will be featured on a new Sony BMG Masterworks release of Bach and Bartók with pianist Robert McDonald. In 1992 Midori founded Midori & Friends, a non-profit organization in New York, which brings music education programs to thousands of underprivileged children each year. Two other organizations, Music Sharing (based in Japan), and Partners in Performance (based in the US), also bring music into the lives of people who may not otherwise have involvement with the arts.

Midori recently inspired these comments from the Denver Post after performing the Tchaikovsky Concerto this December: "This devilishly challenging work, with all its high-flying pyrotechnics, is generally considered a virtuosic showpiece, and Midori didn't shirk from that aspect of the concerto in the least, dashing through the finale at an impressively breakneck speed. But the word that kept coming to mind to describe her interpretation is one not typically associated with this piece: spellbinding. Right from her seductive entrance in the first movement, she seemed most intent on a telling story, finding meaning in each phrase."

Ludovic Morlot is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the leading conductors of his generation. In the summer of 2007 alone, he had re-engagements with the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony, and made debuts with the Houston Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. Highlights of this season include debuts with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie Orchester (Berlin), the Moscow National Philharmonic, the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Trained as a violinist, Mr. Morlot studied conducting as a pupil of the late Charles Bruck at the Pierre Monteux School. From 2004-2006 he served as assistant conductor to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and James Levine.

Tickets for these Mark Motor Audi Signature Series concerts on Wednesday, January 9 and Thursday, January 10 at 20:00 are on sale now at $19.00, $29.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 with box seats at $83.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

NAC, Jan. 8: Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey together in recital

December 19, 2007

For immediate release

Vocal legends Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey together in recital with pianist Jake Heggie on the Bombardier Great Performers series on January 8

Ottawa, Canada – Two illustrious singing stars – Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey – join forces for a glorious duo-recital on Tuesday, January 8 at 20:00 as part of the Bombardier Great Performers Series. The radiant mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade is beloved for her warmth and intimate rapport with audiences, and the resonant bass of Samuel Ramey has given voice to villains and devils, prophets and emperors. With pianist Jake Heggie, their program ranges from classic French art-songs to the classiest hits of Broadway, and includes Berlioz, Offenbach, Copland, Gershwin and Hammerstein, among others.

Recognized as one of the most beloved musical figures of our time, Frederica von Stade has enriched the world of classical music for three decades with her appearances in opera, concert, and recital. Her return to the NAC stage marks her first appearance here since a series of performances between 1977 and 1981 including the acclaimed production of Massenet's Cendrillon for the NAC's Festival Canada in 1979. That same year she recorded Italian Opera Arias with the NAC Orchestra and Mario Bernardi. The mezzo-soprano is well known to audiences around the world through her numerous featured appearances on television including several PBS specials and Live from Lincoln Center telecasts. She has made over sixty recordings with every major label, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums. Her recordings have garnered six Grammy nominations, two Grand Prix du Disc awards, the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Italy's Premio della Critica Discografica, and "Best of the Year" citations by Stereo Review and by Opera News which wrote "Everything von Stade touched turned to gold."

Samuel Ramey reigns as the foremost interpreter of bass and bass-baritone operatic and concert repertoire, commanding with astounding versatility an impressive breadth of repertoire that encompasses virtually every musical style. Samuel Ramey holds the distinction of being the most recorded bass in history. His more than eighty recordings include complete operas, recordings of arias, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums on every major label, garnering nearly every major award including three Grammy Awards. His exposure on television and video is no less impressive, with video recordings of the Metropolitan Opera'sCarmen, Bluebeard's Castle, Semiramide, Nabucco, and the compilation "The Met Celebrates Verdi;" San Francisco Opera's Mefistofele; The Rake's Progress from the Glyndebourne Festival.

As a pianist, Jake Heggie has often accompanied Frederica von Stade in recital, as well as such singers as Dawn Upshaw, Kristin Clayton, Susan Graham, Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, Paul Groves, Thomas Hampson and Bo Skovhus. He is also the renowned composer of the acclaimed operas Dead Man Walking (libretto by Terrence McNally), The End of the Affair (libretto by Heather McDonald, Leonard Foglia and Jake Heggie), the lyric drama To Hell and Back (libretto by Gene Scheer), and the musical scene At the Statue of Venus (libretto by Terrence McNally). The recipient of a 2005-06 Guggenheim Fellowship, he has composed more than 200 songs, as well as concerti, orchestral works and chamber music. (Jake Heggie replaces pianist Warren Jones.)

Tickets for this Bombardier Great Performers recital on Tuesday, January 8 at 20:00 are on sale now at $19.00, $29.00, $39.00, $45.00, $49.00, and $59.00 with box seats at $69.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's website at www.nac-cna.ca. Subscriptions are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.